Wednesday, April 25, 2018

So earlier this month (April 2018) the Census put out some really great information (at least that was my first thought) about how they are going to be now "counting" same-sex marriages! YAY! Here is a screen shot from this link:

However ... if you read and listen to (podcast at the bottom) the following two articles they'll explain why, though this IS a step forward, it still leaves out a whole lot that could have also been beneficial in the long run.

Yet the 2020 census and most federal surveys don’t ask people to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. That means there’s no official count of LGBT people in the country, and most government data sets cannot be used to assess the LGBT population at the national, state or local level. Such information would help policymakers, researchers and advocates understand the particular needs of this population and design effective policies and programs.

As a legal scholar who studies federal sexual orientation and gender identity data, I know that currently there are many unanswered questions about LGBT people’s employment, housing and family circumstances; their health and well-being; and the discrimination and disparities they face.

If the census and other federal surveys included sexual orientation and gender identity, we would know so much more.

In the past, demographers analyzing U.S. Census Bureau data had to use complicated and imperfect systems to estimate the number of cohabiting same-sex couples living in the U.S. The current estimate is that are 646,500 same-sex couples living together in the U.S.

The 2020 census will allow respondents to describe their relationship to members of their household using the categories “same-sex husband/wife/spouse” and “same-sex unmarried partner.” In the past, this was not the case.

2020 census question.U.S. Census Bureau

The 2020 census will better count the number of married and unmarried same-sex couples living together. Respondents’ answers will provide a wealth of information about same-sex couples’ diversity, their children and living arrangements, employment rates and incomes.

Gaps in the data

By capturing distinct data only on same-sex couples living together, however, the 2020 census will tell us nothing about the entire LGBT population, including LGBT people who are single or bisexuals in different-sex relationships. Nor will it capture specific data on transgender youth and adults.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s director stated in a blog post that “there’s no federal data need” nor any statutory requirement to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data.

It’s true that Congress has failed to pass legislation that would require the census to add sexual orientation and gender identity questions. However, as the U.S. Census Bureau has acknowledged, various questions are included on the decennial census or other surveys because “the data are needed for program planning, implementation or evaluation” even though “there is no explicit mandate or requirement.” Moreover, the Department of Justice and other agencies’ requests to the U.S. Census Bureau clearly articulated the federal need for this data.

Only a few federal surveys currently capture information about sexual orientation and gender identity. That suggests that such items could easily be added to the census and other federal surveys that ask about people’s demographics.

Beyond the decennial census, the Trump administration has rolled back sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in other federal surveys.

Moreover, there are federal laws and programs in place designed to increase access to employment, housing, health care and other services. But without inclusive data, policymakers, social service providers and others can’t know if these activities meet the needs of LGBT people and help them thrive. Without this information, stereotypes and myths may drive policies that impact LGBT people.

Existing data show that the LGBT population is remarkably diverse and that the experiences of LGBT people are shaped by many factors, including race, age, socioeconomic status and education level. But existing data are not enough. The U.S. Census Bureau’s failure to ask sexual orientation and gender identity questions makes it hard to know much about the intersections between LGBT status and other characteristics.

In my view, if policymakers want to truly understand and attempt to meet the diverse needs of LGBT people, then more inclusive data ought to be collected. And the U.S. Census Bureau – with its vast surveys, strict confidentiality and expertise – is the ideal agency to lead the way.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Okay ... If you remember my Christmas haul video then you'll recall I got a 23andMe Health & Ancestry testing kit for Christmas from my Mom!! And I'm excited to show you this video as you'll see me unboxing it and setting it up!

If the Twitter link (above) doesn't work than check out this snapshot from @NYTArchives's post link...

I hope you all are enjoying putting up and holding your own holiday traditions this year ... now if only Santa would somehow find a way to complete that above wish list. Does anyone have some spare magic dust to help out? =0)

Monday, November 27, 2017

So this past Thanksgiving I spent it at my parents house and I wanted to show off the lovely family tree photo display that my mother has created in her entryway on her living room wall. She has it so she can interchange and update the photos when needed but has a great mixture of old and new photos.

About Jess from Maine Gals Family Trees:

It has been a 17+ year adventure that started in 1999 for my mother and I when I was doing my quick family tree for one of my 8th grade projects. From that point on my mother and I had researched whenever we could, typically on weekends. Also, because it was ONLY 1999 ... [Find out more here]

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